This article emphasizes that many programs utilizing horses in the therapeutic process are not utilizing clinically licensed therapists, and specifically described the ways that the breadth and depth of psychological theory and practice have been applied to the equine assisted approach to become a distinctly compelling milieu. She discusses how the two therapeutic relationships–that with the clinician, and also with the horse, help to elucidate the inner world of the patient, as well as their interpersonal style. This facilitates exploration of the intrapersonal and interprersonal worlds on preverbal, nonverbal and verbal levels of experience.

Case studies were presented that suggested a nine week equine assisted therapy program for at risk youth (ages 10-13) was helpful, but a nine week quantitative assessment failed to reveal any significant changes. The authors felt that the failure to find statistical significance could have been related to the short duration of the program, the severity of psychosocial stressors the youth were experiencing during the study, and the severity of the youth’s disorders.

This study examined psychological distress and well-being among 31 participants, ages 23 to 70. Results revealed revealed reduced psychological distress and fewer psychological symptoms based on findings from self-report questionnaires. Participants reported being more independent and self-supported, better able to live fully in the present and less troubled with regrets, resentment and guilt. However, the researchers noted limitations like the absence of a control group and a randomly selected sample.

2007 Schultz, P.N., Remick-Barlow, A.G., Robbins, L. Equine-assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence. Health and Social Care in the Community, 15, 265-271.

Researchers explored EAP’s effectiveness in 63 children who witnessed violence between their parents and experienced child abuse. After an average of 19 sessions, all children showed improved scores on the Children’s Global Assessment of Functioning (C-GAF), which measures psychological, social and school functioning for 6 to 17-year-olds. The study has some limitations; the sample was self-selected sample, there was not a control group only one outcome measure was utilized.

This was a qualitative study of the stories of 5 women who experienced abuse and participated in EFP as a part of their recovery. Data analysis identified four patterns in the participant’ stories: “I can have power”, “doing it hands on”, “horses as co-therapists”, and “turned my life around.” The participants’ stories support the effectiveness of EFP as an effective intervention for women who have experienced abuse

Researchers conducted the study at a residential treatment facility for adolescents at-risk. Fourteen resident adolescents comprised the treatment group, and were compared with a control group of 15 matched residents who did not receive EFP. The treatment comprised a weekly individual EFP session over a period of seven months. The study found a trend of positive change in self-image, self-control, trust and general life satisfaction within the treatment group.